Page 37 of Danger Close

“Is this the baby mama? Ray is an ex-beau?” I could tell, even through the phone, that he had a shit-eating grin. “How am I doing?”

Beaufort is what passed for a bosom companion in the spyworld. One day, when I thought I’d seen Teri and Trinity at a random gas station in the middle of nowhere, I thought I was going nuts. My heart split in two, and I got rip-roaring drunk. He did the dude equivalent of holding my hair back as I puked my guts to the porcelain God, crying like an idiot because I missed my family. I had no family…

He learned a lot about me that day, and since helping me sober up the next day, he’d never mentioned it. Not until now.

“Correct on the first part. On the second point, I have no idea. I’m hoping you’ll tell me.”

It was a thing he liked to do. He liked to un-puzzle things while saying them out loud so I let him do his thing. It was faster than answering him myself, because there were a shit ton of things I did not feel like examining right now.

“Jericho doesn’t like the woman, or he doesn’t like youwiththe woman,” he concluded. “Which is it?”

“Probably both.”

“Ah, I’m sure I’ll puzzle out why at some point once I start digging,” Beaufort said, letting out another yawn. I answered him with a loud one of my own.

It was only ten p.m., and here we were, more than ready to head to bed.

I had a crick in my neck, and my right shoulder told me that it was going to rain tonight. When the hell did I get like this? Yesterday, I was running up and down the Champs-Élysées with Teri in the middle of a thunderstorm, laughing, kissing, and dancing the night away. I was falling in love, having a baby… Then, I blinked, and my hair turned gray, and there were wrinkles around my eyes.

“As much as I want to help you,”Beaufort better not be letting me down....“I’m not going to help a man spy on his ex. That kind of business sours my gut.”

“Beaufort.” I ran my hand down my face. “She’s been my ex for thirty years. I’m not asking because I’m some Lautenberg creep.”

The Lautenberg Amendment restricted firearms for anyone convicted of domestic violence, including, and especially, those who worked within government. I took that shit seriously, and so did he.

I had never once laid hands on a woman without their consent. I sure as hell wasn’t going to do it now.Especiallynot to Teresa Louise Guerro.

“Yeah, but you’re out of the racket now,” Beaufort reasoned, and I knew this conversation was not at all going my way. “Retirement and idleness are the devil’s playthings. When you were knee deep in work, maybe her moving on didn’t bother you as much.”

“Oh, come on!” I protested.

Beaufort chuckled. I let my head fall back on the headrest with a thud. He was testing me.

Asshole.

I hated these spy games. Nothing was ever what it seemed. I just wanted some good old-fashioned honesty, once in a while.

“I’ll be down your way tomorrow. I’m lecturing over at West Point. Why don’t I swing by for a coffee and we’ll talk in person.”

I knew what that meant. Beaufort was going to come by and look me in the eyes to make sure I wasn’t exactly the kind of Heath Carlin creep that would hold a grudge on his ex. If that’s what it took, fine.

“You know where I am?” It was a stupid question for me to ask.

He snorted, and before he disconnected the call simply said, “Don’t insult me.”

Chapter 16

Fuck You, Guerro

Teri

The quilted bed looked antique and clean. The room was cozy, small, and well-kept with a little fireplace. I imagined that the view from the large window would be glorious during the day. Even now, I could see the silhouette of high mountains against a midnight blue sky. The milky wash of stars and bright moonlight put a silver glow on the landscape.

I was glad for the hospitality, but at the same time, I wasn’t sure if I’d have preferred to go back with Cobra. The devil you know…

Greg had been standing quietly at the door after he helped put sheets on the bed, and found me several thick quilted duvets to help me get through the cold night.

“I don't often have someone willing to speak up for me. I appreciate what you said out there.Merci.”